Sir Author Eddington and Einstein's GTR

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In summary, Sir Author Eddington used predicted knowledge of solar eclipses to determine the best location for obtaining a photo. His proof of Einstein's GTR involved comparing pictures of star positions at night and during an eclipse to measure the apparent shift in position, which was found to be in line with predictions of general relativity.
  • #1
plutoisacomet
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Hello, I have a question or two about Sir Author Eddington's proof of Einstein's GTR.

1)How did or what technique did Sir Eddington use to know where to get the best photo of the eclipse.

2)Can someone explain the experimental technique behind his proof of Einstein's GTRMany thanks from a layperson.
 
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eddington never tested gtr
 
  • #3
plutoisacomet said:
Hello, I have a question or two about Sir Author Eddington's proof of Einstein's GTR.

1)How did or what technique did Sir Eddington use to know where to get the best photo of the eclipse.

2)Can someone explain the experimental technique behind his proof of Einstein's GTR


Many thanks from a layperson.

For question 1, I can't give the specifics, but predicting where and when solar eclipses would occur has been known for a long time.

For 2, the general idea was to have a picture of the star positions at night and then compare it to a picture of the stars positioned in the sky near the sun at the time of the eclipse. The apparent shift in position was measured and compared to that predicted by general relativity. It was close enough for Eddington to proclaim the success of GR.
 
  • #4
Thanks for your help Mathman.
 

1. What is the significance of Sir Arthur Eddington's experiments in relation to Einstein's General Theory of Relativity (GTR)?

Sir Arthur Eddington's experiments, known as the Eddington experiments, were instrumental in validating Einstein's General Theory of Relativity. By observing the bending of starlight during a solar eclipse, Eddington provided evidence for the curvature of space-time predicted by GTR.

2. How did Eddington's experiments impact the scientific community's understanding of gravity?

Eddington's experiments provided empirical evidence for the concept of gravity as a curvature of space-time, rather than a force between masses. This validated Einstein's theory and revolutionized our understanding of gravity.

3. Did Eddington's experiments have any implications beyond the realm of physics?

Yes, Eddington's experiments also had implications for our understanding of the universe as a whole. By proving the validity of GTR, it opened the door for further exploration of concepts such as the expanding universe and the Big Bang theory.

4. How did Einstein and Eddington collaborate on the development of GTR?

Einstein and Eddington corresponded extensively while Einstein was developing GTR. Eddington provided valuable feedback and support for Einstein's ideas, and also helped to popularize the theory through his own writings and lectures.

5. Are there any criticisms of Eddington's experiments or their results?

Some have questioned the accuracy of Eddington's measurements and the methods used in his experiments. Additionally, some have argued that the results of the experiments could have been interpreted differently, and that Eddington's biases may have influenced his interpretation of the data.

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